"It's clear that he's stepping up," Boullier told a McLaren phone-in. "He's maybe punching above his weight, because obviously he doesn't have the car to be fast enough and chase better results, but he's trying his best.

"I think it's good for him and good for the fans as well, good for the show I think, to see this young kid, and this young Viking, if I may say this, fighting with the big boys. Obviously it means his self-confidence is massively growing and it's good for his race craft, which is only going to [get] better and better."

While Boullier agreed with the first penalty, he said Magnussen was harshly treated in Italy and urged him not to change the way he drives as a result.

"I think the Spa penalty was deserved to be honest, and I believe not the one Monza. He was unfortunate to be penalised, but we believe it was obviously just a normal move and a legitimate defence.

"I don't think he will have to change his approach. I think Spa was a one-off, and Monza for us was unfortunate, let's say. I think he needs to keep building his confidence by doing what he's doing."